Join Dr. Shobana Powell and Cristian Eduardo in an exploration of the dynamics of psychological coercion in sex trafficking. They will present on how research on Biderman's Framework and cultic theory demonstrate the shared psychological coercion tactics used in sex trafficking, torture, and cults. The presenters will also discuss the practical applications for working with survivors. This workshop is beneficial to all who work in the anti-trafficking field, as psychological coercion can be one of the most common forms of control and yet one of the most difficult to identify, name, and heal from. The presenters will go beyond the basics of human trafficking, delving into the subtle manipulation tactics utilized by exploiters and providing culturally relevant case examples. The goal of this workshop is to 1) validate and normalize survivors’ experiences of psychological coercion, 2) empower mental health, law enforcement, legal, and other service providers with shared language around psychological coercion, and 3) replace movement-wide minimizing of the harms of psychological coercion with believing and supporting survivors.
Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.
PLEASE NOTE: This session will not be available to watch as an on-demand recording.
Dr. Shobana Powell is the CEO of Shobana Powell Consulting, a team of national clinical, legal, and survivor experts who provide training and technical assistance on the intersectionality of human trafficking and systemic oppression. Dr. Powell has provided trauma therapy and led human trafficking programs across the U.S.
Cristian Eduardo is a speaker, educator for anti-trafficking initiatives, and advocate for immigrant and LGBTQ+ rights. He is a survivor of international and domestic human trafficking, a queer Mexican immigrant, a person living with HIV, and speaks openly about the mental health challenges that frequently result from trauma.